Hirdaramani Industries (Pvt) Ltd, Kahathuduwa, a flagship facility of the Hirdaramani Group was awarded LEED Platinum certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognises best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects have to satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. LEED has transformed how buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated across the globe. LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting the use of renewable, clean energy.

Converted to a green facility under the overall Sustainability Program which is being implemented across all Group Factories, this is the first factory within the Group; which currently boasts three Gold certified factories; to achieve Platinum certification. The conversion of the Kahathuduwa factory into a ‘Green Factory’ is a process that commenced in 2009 with the introduction of several sustainable measures such as biomass boilers and skylights, while the complete conversion to meet USGBC requirements in achieving LEED Certification was activated as a project in 2014. Currently the fourth Hirdaramani Group factory to receive LEED certification, Hirdaramani, Kahathuduwa delivers higher energy efficiency and saving of water compared to a similar facility. Its green spaces and abundance of medicinal plants makes it a haven of biodiversity. Sustainable pest management practices, clean product usage and mercury reduction programs are a few initiatives carried out in the facility. A key innovation at Kahathuduwa, which is also a hallmark across all of the Group’s green facilities, is the adoption of evaporative cooling within its Sample & Design centre, providing thermal comfort with minimal energy use. This innovation was validated by USGBC when awarding points related to energy and thermal comfort design. A LEED Platinum building with an evaporative cooling system in a tropical climate is a notable feat.

Hidaramani Industries Kahathuduwa was also confirmed as holding the highest number of LEED points scored by a facility in Sri Lanka under the currently listed projects in the USGBC data base.

The Hirdaramani Group’s green journey began with its eco-friendly factory in Mihila, which has the distinction of being the first custom-built green apparel factory in the world, as well as the first Carbon Neutral apparel factory in Asia. Using this experience as a stepping stone, Hirdaramani has embarked on a journey to convert all their existing facilities across Sri Lanka into eco-friendly facilities, while all new constructions are built according to LEED pre-requisitions. Hirdaramani has also extended their sustainability agenda across their international facilities in Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Commenting on the platinum certification, Director, Hirdaramani Group, Akshay Hirdaramani stated “For Hirdaramani, the sustainability of the planet is equally important as the sustainability of our business; we strongly believe in this philosophy and make sure it is executed through our Sustainability Program across the Group. This LEED platinum certification shows our commitment to sustainable business practices and our perseverance as a corporate citizen. I would like to thank the team for the hard work and dedication shown in maintaining and carrying out our Sustainability Program the result of which is evident with this certification”

Commenting on this achievement, Theodore Gunasekara, CEO, Hirdaramani Apparel Woven Sector said “The work of innovative building projects such as this is a fundamental driving force in our green journey. We are proud of this achievement which we believe belongs to the team that works tirelessly in spearheading our Sustainable Program.”

Buddhika Lenagala, General Manager, Hirdaramani Industries Kahathuduwa, said, “This is an important step in our journey towards making our business more sustainable. The LEED Platinum rating is an encouragement for us to move forward with focus and determination.”

With this certification, Hirdaramani Industries (Pvt) Ltd, Kahathuduwa ranks among the few in the world to achieve LEED Platinum status. It sits in elite company of those who have taken on the mantle of making their businesses contribute to a greener tomorrow.